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2021 (6) TMI 226 - MADRAS HIGH COURTLevy of service tax - food that is ‘taken away’ or collected from restaurants or eateries, in parcels - consumption of the food and drink is not in the premises of the restaurant - HELD THAT:- Not all services rendered by restaurants in the sale of food and drink are taxable and it is only certain specified situations that attract tax. The sale of food and drink simplicitor, services of selection and purchase of ingredients, preparation of ingredients for cooking and the actual preparation of the food and drink would not attract the levy of tax. Only those services commencing from the point where the food and drinks are collected for service at the table till the raising of the bill, are covered. This would encompass a gamut of services including arrangements for seating, décor, music and dance, both live and otherwise, the services of Maître D’Or, hostesses, liveried waiters and the use of fine crockery and cutlery, among others. The provision of the aforesaid niceties are critical to the determination as to whether the establishment in question would attract liability to service tax, and that too, only in an air-conditioned restaurant - In the case of take-away or food parcels, the aforesaid attributes are conspicuous by their absence. In most restaurants, there is a separate counter for collection of the take-away food parcels. Once processed and readied for delivery, the parcels are brought to a separate counter and are picked up either by the customer or a delivery service. More often than not, the take-away counters are positioned away from the main dining area that may or may not be air-conditioned. In any event, the consumption of the food and drink is not in the premises of the restaurant - the provision of food and drink to be taken-away in parcels by restaurants tantamount to the sale of food and drink and does not attract service tax under the Act. Petition allowed - decided in favor of petitioner.
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